Lisa Proebstl1, Felicia Kamp2, Kirsi Manz3, Daniela Krause4, Kristina Adorjan5, Oliver Pogarell6, Gabi Koller7, Michael Soyka8, Peter Falkai9, Joseph Kambeitz10. 1. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany. Electronic address: lisa.proebstl@med.uni-muenchen.de. 2. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany. Electronic address: Felicia.kamp@med.uni-muenchen.de. 3. Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology, LudwigMaximilians-University, Munich, Germany. Electronic address: manz@ibe.med.uni-muenchen.de. 4. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany. Electronic address: Daniela.Krause@med.uni-muenchen.de. 5. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany. Electronic address: Kristina.Adorjan@med.uni-muenchen.de. 6. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany. Electronic address: Oliver.Pogarell@med.uni-muenchen.de. 7. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany. Electronic address: gabi.koller@med.uni-muenchen.de. 8. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany; Medical Parc Chiemseeblick, Bernau am Chiemsee, Germany. Electronic address: m.soyka@medicalpark.de. 9. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany. Electronic address: Peter.Falkai@med.uni-muenchen.de. 10. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany. Electronic address: Joseph.Kambeitz@med.uni-muenchen.de.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Stimulant drugs can cause persistent changes in the brain. Imaging studies show that these changes are most apparent in dopamine transporter (DAT) or receptor availability within the striatum. METHODS: This work focuses on influences of stimulant use on dopaminergic function assessed using nuclear-medicine imaging (PET/SPECT). Included are 39 studies on 655 cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine or nicotine users, as well as 690 healthy controls. Metaanalyses were conducted separately for D2/D3 receptors and dopamine transporters of the entire striatum, its subregions caudate and putamen respectively. RESULTS: Meta-analyses results regarding nicotine did not show significant effects between smokers and nonsmokers. In cocaine users there was a significant decrease in dopamine receptor availability in all regions. The striatal DAT availability was significantly increased in cocaine users. Methamphetamine users showed a significantly decreased dopamine receptor and transporter density in all regions. Significant results also indicate a lower transporter availability in all regions. Amphetamine users showed reduced DAT availability in the striatum, as well as in the sub regions. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis provides evidence that there are ongoing changes in the dopaminergic system associated with the use of stimulants. Especially the results of cocaine, methamphetamine and amphetamine use mainly showed a downregulation. In addition, this meta-analysis is the first to include nicotine. This subset of studies showed evidence for a decreased receptor and DAT availability but no significant results were found in the metaanalyses.
BACKGROUND: Stimulant drugs can cause persistent changes in the brain. Imaging studies show that these changes are most apparent in dopamine transporter (DAT) or receptor availability within the striatum. METHODS: This work focuses on influences of stimulant use on dopaminergic function assessed using nuclear-medicine imaging (PET/SPECT). Included are 39 studies on 655 cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine or nicotine users, as well as 690 healthy controls. Metaanalyses were conducted separately for D2/D3 receptors and dopamine transporters of the entire striatum, its subregions caudate and putamen respectively. RESULTS: Meta-analyses results regarding nicotine did not show significant effects between smokers and nonsmokers. In cocaine users there was a significant decrease in dopamine receptor availability in all regions. The striatal DAT availability was significantly increased in cocaine users. Methamphetamine users showed a significantly decreased dopamine receptor and transporter density in all regions. Significant results also indicate a lower transporter availability in all regions. Amphetamine users showed reduced DAT availability in the striatum, as well as in the sub regions. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis provides evidence that there are ongoing changes in the dopaminergic system associated with the use of stimulants. Especially the results of cocaine, methamphetamine and amphetamine use mainly showed a downregulation. In addition, this meta-analysis is the first to include nicotine. This subset of studies showed evidence for a decreased receptor and DAT availability but no significant results were found in the metaanalyses.
Authors: Isabel R K Kuebler; Joshua A Jolton; Chase Hermreck; Nicholas A Hubbard; Ken T Wakabayashi Journal: J Neurophysiol Date: 2022-08-31 Impact factor: 2.974
Authors: Marilyn Huckans; Stephen Boyd; Grant Moncrief; Nathan Hantke; Bethany Winters; Kate Shirley; Emily Sano; Holly McCready; Laura Dennis; Milky Kohno; William Hoffman; Jennifer M Loftis Journal: J Clin Exp Neuropsychol Date: 2021-10-06 Impact factor: 2.283